PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent from August 23, 2010. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient verification of the Veteran's reported stressors. The RO is instructed to conduct further searches and provide a VA examination if necessary.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and PTSD, were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted, with a rating of 30% and effective from September 20, 2006.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, are not service-connected as her current conditions do not stem from military service or any related exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to determine if his current psychiatric disorders had their onset during his period of active duty service.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA psychological examination.

The Veteran's PTSD and MDD have resulted in difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work relationships, but not to the extent that it results in occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection as it is related to his in-service stressor of being injured by a rocket attack while serving in Iraq. The Board also found that the Veteran's dizziness, blurred vision, neck pain and low back pain are associated with his head injury sustained during active duty.

The Veteran seeks an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his PTSD disability. The Board finds that additional development is needed prior to adjudication of this claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, low back strain, diabetes mellitus, cervical strain, and multiple knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that a TDIU rating is warranted based on the combined effect of these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and conducting a social and industrial survey to determine his employability.

The Veteran was granted service connection for anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, but denied service connection for PTSD. The rating assigned is 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to concerns about the sufficiency of evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed stressors and psychiatric diagnoses, as well as the need for a medical opinion on the etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is being remanded due to the unverifiable stressor of a fellow service member falling out of a boat and drowning off the shore of Vietnam. The Board requests further information from the Veteran regarding a second verified stressor involving witnessing the death of a fellow service member in 1962 or early 1963.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the claim, including consideration of whether the Veteran has a separate psychiatric disorder such as depression related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to September 22, 2010 and the appeal for a higher rating remains pending. The symptoms have not met criteria for a 100% rating.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since January 9, 2009. The VA examiner found the Veteran to have occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity due to symptoms such as intrusive thoughts of combat, emotional detachment from others, and decreased interest in activities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reported in-service stressors are consistent with his service and related to fear of hostile military activity. The VA staff psychologist confirmed a diagnosis of PTSD, linking it to these events. Therefore, the claim for service connection for PTSD is granted.